Archimandrite David (Edwards) - Revision history

Vladyka Seraphim at 01:18, 27 December 2025

2025-12-27T01:18:47Z

Vladyka Seraphim: /* Service in Halifax */

2025-12-24T03:20:07Z

Service in Halifax

Vladyka Seraphim: /* Service in Halifax */

2025-12-24T02:35:17Z

Service in Halifax

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	[[File:Archimandrite-david-edwards 1.jpeg]] '''Archimandrite David at Saint Vladimir's'''		[[File:Archimandrite-david-edwards 1.jpeg]] '''Archimandrite David at Saint Vladimir's'''


			'''A reminiscence by Father David at Christmas-tide after the pandemic'''

			The following reminiscence was published in the parish bulletin :
			I’m sitting here on December 25th, Christmas Day for most of the world and I am thinking back
			to the Christmases I knew as a boy. I was fortunate in that after the war, my father was posted to
			a military base in rural Dorset. We lived on the edge of moorland and a forest. We were about a
			kilometer and a half from where T. E. Lawrence (of Arabia) lived and was killed. We were
			fortunate to live there because everything about Christmas was real ; the fir trees were covered in
			Ivy and the Holly bushes had real red berries. Christmas trees were growing in the woods and
			were not given to the garbage collectors on Boxing Day. Real socks were hung at the end of the
			bed to be replaced by Father Christmas with a pillow case full of wonders. Christmas lights didn’t
			work if one of the bulbs burned out and the tinsel was made of real metal. Postmen actually
			delivered cards and presents from distant relatives and the smell of the roasting goose or turkey
			prepared one for the sumptuous dinner that was to follow. While mother was preparing that, we
			boys went up the hill, through the woods to the church. On the way we played in the woods but
			arrived in time since we were part of the choir. Perhaps cutting it fine, one of the older girls, and I
			remember her well, scrambled to find each of us a cassock, ruff and surplice ; then the procession
			around the wooden church to the main door of the nave for the procession, singing one of the
			beautiful Christmas Carols ; probably Once in Royal David’s City.

			We ran home anticipating the feast, and we would not be disappointed. There might be chicken,
			or goose, or turkey with lots of gravy. There would always be Brussels Sprouts, Mashed Potatoes,
			Stuffing, Roast Potatoes, Carrots, Parsnips and Swede ; a feast indeed. But that was not all.
			There was the Christmas Pudding, the Mince Pies, the Custard. I remember all this because it
			was all homemade ; it was real. There was nothing artificial about it at all. The meat came from
			the butcher shop, the vegetables from the greengrocers, and the various fruits, and fats from the
			grocers where you were served by someone wearing an apron. Stuff was weighed and wrapped in
			paper. We hadn’t even heard of plastic bags in those days. Stuff was carried in shopping baskets
			made of woven branches or grasses, or cloth. It was real.

			At tea time there was usually Bread and Butter, and Trifle, and more mince pies. One had to eat
			the bread and butter before one was allowed to eat anything sweet. In those days, children did
			not have a choice, you did what you were told, or else ; some of us well remember those days and
			the “or elses”.

			Then there was the King’s Christmas Message, later of course, the Queen’s Message. The evening
			was quieter and children were sent early to bed on Christmas Day ; not unreasonable since we
			had awakened early, anticipating the wonderful things left by Father Christmas.

			Then Boxing Day. This was children’s day ; the only day we were allowed to stay up until we
			wanted to go to bed, and there was no restriction on the number of sweets and goodies we could
			eat. That is where we learned to be careful with the amount of chocolate one should eat at one
			time. Well, some of us learned.

			But you see, it was all real. I look around now, and I see that the world has made Christmas
			plastic, artificial, and fake. Christmas Carols are used now to encourage us to buy stuff, animals
			are fed to make them fat, eggs are produced in goodness only knows what kind of conditions.

			Can we have Christmases like that again ? I don’t know. It will be up to the children of today who
			will have to examine the world they will live in and ask themselves : “Is it satisfactory ?” My
			answer at the moment would be a definite “No !” The world I live in at the moment is selfish and
			deceitful.

			The question again is : Will it continue to be ? And for how long ? How long before the Lord
			decides to wrap it all up ?

			I don’t despair though, and I have hope. I look at the beautiful children who bless this parish of
			St. Vladimir Prince of Kiev in Halifax, and there are those of us who remember and who hold on to
			the Truths. Christmas is a marvellous feast. We shall each fill it with what it is meant to be, the
			Birth of the Son of God, Real not plastic or fake - His taking Flesh of the Most Holy Theotokos,
			becoming Man, just like us. He knows what we are about. Don’t get tied up with “Season’s
			Greetings”. It’s “Merry Christmas” – the Birth of Christ – “Christ is Born !” So Let us Glorify Him.
			May God Bless each and every one of us. Merry Christmas ! From Father David, Father
			Alexander, the choir and Altar servers.

	==Repose==		==Repose==

Vladyka Seraphim: /* References */

2025-11-13T20:52:36Z

References

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	[[Category:Clergy]] [[Category:Monastics]] [[Category:AOCA]] [[Category:OCA]] [[Category:ADOCA]] [[Category:Nova Scotia]] [[Category:Ontario]] [[Category:Manitoba]] [[Category:Alberta]]		[[Category:Clergy]] [[Category:Monastics]] [[Category:AOCA]] [[Category:OCA]] [[Category:ADOCA]] [[Category:Nova Scotia]] [[Category:Ontario]] [[Category:Manitoba]] [[Category:Alberta]] [[Category:Atlantic Provinces]]

Vladyka Seraphim: /* Service in Halifax */

2025-10-28T14:58:09Z

Service in Halifax

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	[[File:FatherDavid 2.jpg]] '''Father David'''		[[File:FatherDavid 2.jpg]] [[File:ArchimDavidE 2.png]] '''Father David'''

Vladyka Seraphim: /* Repose */

2025-07-24T23:38:54Z

Repose

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	[[File:ArchimandriteDavidFuneral 3.png]] '''Interment at the ~~monasterh~~'''		[[File:ArchimandriteDavidFuneral 3.png]] '''Interment at the monastery'''

Vladyka Seraphim: /* Repose */

2025-07-24T23:38:28Z

Repose

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	At 11:00 a.m., with the serving of a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Memorial_Services Panikhida], the body of Archimandrite David (Edwards) was interred in [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2832391/memorial-search the cemetery] at the Hermitage of the Annunciation, near New Germany, Nova Scotia. His interment was the second in that new cemetery.		At 11:00 a.m., with the serving of a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Memorial_Services Panikhida], the body of Archimandrite David (Edwards) was interred in [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2832391/memorial-search the cemetery] at the Hermitage of the Annunciation, near New Germany, Nova Scotia. His interment was the second in that new cemetery.

	[[File:~~Annunciation_Hermitage_NS_2020_1~~.~~jpg~~]] '''~~Annunciation Hermitage~~'''
			[[File:ArchimandriteDavidFuneral 3.png]] '''Interment at the monasterh'''


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	On Wednesday, 23 July, 2025, a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Memorial_Services Memorial Service] ([https://orthodoxcanada.ca/res/reading/memorial/Panikhida_for_Adult.pdf Panikhida]) was served in the morning at the Monastery of the Holy Annunciation at Watford, Nova Scotia ; and in the evening, the same service was offered in Halifax at the Parish of Saint Vladimir, Prince of Kiev.		On Wednesday, 23 July, 2025, a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Memorial_Services Memorial Service] ([https://orthodoxcanada.ca/res/reading/memorial/Panikhida_for_Adult.pdf Panikhida]) was served in the morning at the Monastery of the Holy Annunciation at Watford, Nova Scotia ; and in the evening, the same service was offered in Halifax at the Parish of Saint Vladimir, Prince of Kiev.


			[[File:Annunciation_Hermitage_NS_2020_1.jpg]] '''Annunciation Hermitage'''

	==Reflections==		==Reflections==

Vladyka Seraphim: /* Repose */

2025-07-22T01:36:30Z

Repose

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	'''40th Day Prayers'''		'''40th Day Prayers'''

	On Wednesday, 23 July, 2025, a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Memorial_Services ~~memorial service~~] ([https://orthodoxcanada.ca/res/reading/memorial/Panikhida_for_Adult.pdf Panikhida]) was served in the morning at the Monastery of the Holy Annunciation at Watford, Nova Scotia ; and in the evening, the same service was offered in Halifax at the Parish of Saint Vladimir, Prince of Kiev.		On Wednesday, 23 July, 2025, a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Memorial_Services Memorial Service] ([https://orthodoxcanada.ca/res/reading/memorial/Panikhida_for_Adult.pdf Panikhida]) was served in the morning at the Monastery of the Holy Annunciation at Watford, Nova Scotia ; and in the evening, the same service was offered in Halifax at the Parish of Saint Vladimir, Prince of Kiev.

	==Reflections==		==Reflections==

Vladyka Seraphim: /* Repose */

2025-07-22T01:36:00Z

Repose

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	'''40th Day Prayers'''		'''40th Day Prayers'''

	On Wednesday, 23 July, 2025, a memorial service (Panikhida) was served in the morning at the Monastery of the Holy Annunciation at Watford, Nova Scotia ; and in the evening, the same service was offered in Halifax at the Parish of Saint Vladimir, Prince of Kiev.		On Wednesday, 23 July, 2025, a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Memorial_Services memorial service] ([https://orthodoxcanada.ca/res/reading/memorial/Panikhida_for_Adult.pdf Panikhida]) was served in the morning at the Monastery of the Holy Annunciation at Watford, Nova Scotia ; and in the evening, the same service was offered in Halifax at the Parish of Saint Vladimir, Prince of Kiev.

	==Reflections==		==Reflections==

Vladyka Seraphim at 01:33, 22 July 2025

2025-07-22T01:33:16Z

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	Within his personal family, Archimandrite David was survived by his siblings Garth Edwards (Barb) ; Marty Edwards (Jude) ; Robin Edwards (Dave) ; and his nieces Ann (Alfred) and Louisa (Namit), nephew Alex, and grand-niece Viola.		Within his personal family, Archimandrite David was survived by his siblings Garth Edwards (Barb) ; Marty Edwards (Jude) ; Robin Edwards (Dave) ; and his nieces Ann (Alfred) and Louisa (Namit), nephew Alex, and grand-niece Viola.

			'''40th Day Prayers'''

			On Wednesday, 23 July, 2025, a memorial service (Panikhida) was served in the morning at the Monastery of the Holy Annunciation at Watford, Nova Scotia ; and in the evening, the same service was offered in Halifax at the Parish of Saint Vladimir, Prince of Kiev.

	==Reflections==		==Reflections==

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	==Early life of Anthony Edwards==		==Early life of Anthony Edwards==

	On 18 June, 1940, Anthony David Edwards was born to William and Louisa Edwards in in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southampton Southampton], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England England], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom United Kingdom] (U.K.), and he was the eldest of their 3 sons and 1 daughter.		On 18 June, 1940, Anthony David Edwards was born to William and Louisa Edwards in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southampton Southampton], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England England], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom United Kingdom] (U.K.), and he was the eldest of their 3 sons and 1 daughter.

	Anthony was born during the midst of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empire_in_World_War_II World War II], and he had vivid and horrifying memories of hiding with his mother during attacks of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blitzkrieg Blitzkrieg] by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_Germany Nazi German] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luftwaffe Luftwaffe] (air-force). He was particularly traumatised by the death of a cousin who was killed when her school was bombed.		Anthony was born during the midst of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empire_in_World_War_II World War II], and he had vivid and horrifying memories of hiding with his mother during attacks of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blitzkrieg Blitzkrieg] by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_Germany Nazi German] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luftwaffe Luftwaffe] (air-force). He was particularly traumatised by the death of a cousin who was killed when her school was bombed.
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	Under Father David’s spiritual guidance, Saint Vladimir’s parish experienced remarkable growth and maturation. His unconditional love and attention to every person he encountered drew together a vibrant international community of both faithful and inquirers. All who knew Father David would attest to his extraordinary gift for making each person feel valued and loved, regardless of their background or circumstances. He showed in his example that true spiritual leadership requires pastoral tenderness, monastic discipline, and missionary zeal.		Under Father David’s spiritual guidance, Saint Vladimir’s parish experienced remarkable growth and maturation. His unconditional love and attention to every person he encountered drew together a vibrant international community of both faithful and inquirers. All who knew Father David would attest to his extraordinary gift for making each person feel valued and loved, regardless of their background or circumstances. He showed in his example that true spiritual leadership requires pastoral tenderness, monastic discipline, and missionary zeal.
	His impact on the Nova Scotia Orthodox community and beyond is profound. We will all be changed by what he taught us. Father David's ministry demonstrated that the Gospel message transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, uniting all people in the common pursuit of holiness and [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Jesus_Christ truth] (“I am the way, the truth and the life”).		His impact on the Nova Scotia Orthodox community and beyond is profound. We will all be changed by what he taught us. Father David's ministry demonstrated that the Gospel message transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, uniting all people in the common pursuit of holiness and [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Jesus_Christ truth] (“I am the way, the truth and the life”, John 14:6).


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	'''A reminiscence by Father David at Christmas-tide after the pandemic'''		'''A reminiscence by Father David at Christmas-tide after the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19 pandemic]'''

	The following reminiscence was published in the parish bulletin :		The following reminiscence was published in the Saint Vladimir parish bulletin (in which Father David remembers his childhood in England, long before he became Orthodox in 1982) :
	I’m sitting here on December 25th, [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Nativity Christmas Day] for most of the world and I am thinking back		I’m sitting here on December 25th, [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Nativity Christmas Day] for most of the world and I am thinking back
	to the Christmases I knew as a boy. I was fortunate in that after [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II the war], my father was posted to		to the Christmases I knew as a boy. I was fortunate in that after [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II the war], my father was posted to
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	Later, one of Father David's ~~bothers~~ sent a letter to the parishioners, which is reproduced here :		Later, one of Father David's brothers sent a letter to the parishioners, which is reproduced here :

	My brother, Father David, The Bear.		My brother, Father David, The Bear.
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	In addition, Presbytera Constantina Palmer of [https://sites.google.com/site/ocachurch Our Lady of Vladimir Church] in Saint John's, Newfoundland, prepared and presented an icon of [https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2024/03/01/103905-saint-david-bishop-of-wales Saint David of Wales] to the parish of Saint Prince ~~Vladimir~~ in Halifax in memory of Father David.		In addition, Presbytera Constantina Palmer of [https://sites.google.com/site/ocachurch Our Lady of Vladimir Church] in Saint John's, Newfoundland, prepared and presented an [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Iconography icon] of [https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2024/03/01/103905-saint-david-bishop-of-wales Saint David of Wales] to the parish of Saint Vladimir Prince of Kyiv in Halifax, in memory of Father David.

	[[File:IconOfSaintDavid 3.png]]		[[File:IconOfSaintDavid 3.png]]

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	The following reminiscence was published in the parish bulletin :		The following reminiscence was published in the parish bulletin :
	I’m sitting here on December 25th, Christmas Day for most of the world and I am thinking back		I’m sitting here on December 25th, [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Nativity Christmas Day] for most of the world and I am thinking back
	to the Christmases I knew as a boy. I was fortunate in that after the war, my father was posted to		to the Christmases I knew as a boy. I was fortunate in that after [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II the war], my father was posted to
	a military base in rural Dorset. We lived on the edge of moorland and a forest. We were about a		a military base in rural [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorset Dorset]. We lived on the edge of moorland and a forest. We were about a
	kilometer and a half from where T. E. Lawrence (of Arabia) lived and was killed. We were		kilometer and a half from where [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._E._Lawrence T. E. Lawrence] ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_of_Arabia:_The_Authorised_Biography_of_T._E._Lawrence of Arabia]) lived and was killed. We were
	fortunate to live there because everything about Christmas was real ; the fir trees were covered in		fortunate to live there because everything about Christmas was real ; the fir trees were covered in
	Ivy and the Holly bushes had real red berries. Christmas trees were growing in the woods and		Ivy and the Holly bushes had real red berries. Christmas trees were growing in the woods and
	were not given to the garbage collectors on Boxing Day. Real socks were hung at the end of the		were not given to the garbage collectors on [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Boxing-Day Boxing Day]. Real socks were hung at the end of the
	bed to be replaced by Father Christmas with a pillow case full of wonders. Christmas lights didn’t		bed to be replaced by Father Christmas with a pillow case full of wonders. Christmas lights didn’t
	work if one of the bulbs burned out and the tinsel was made of real metal. Postmen actually		work if one of the bulbs burned out and the tinsel was made of real metal. Postmen actually
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	boys went up the hill, through the woods to the church. On the way we played in the woods but		boys went up the hill, through the woods to the church. On the way we played in the woods but
	arrived in time since we were part of the choir. Perhaps cutting it fine, one of the older girls, and I		arrived in time since we were part of the choir. Perhaps cutting it fine, one of the older girls, and I
	remember her well, scrambled to find each of us a cassock, ruff and surplice ; then the procession		remember her well, scrambled to find each of us a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassock cassock], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruff_(clothing) ruff], and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surplice surplice] ; then the procession
	around the wooden church to the main door of the nave for the procession, singing one of the		around the wooden church to the main door of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Nave nave] for the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procession#Christian_processions procession,] singing one of the
	beautiful Christmas Carols ; probably Once in Royal David’s City.		beautiful Christmas Carols ; probably "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Once_in_Royal_David%27s_City Once in Royal David’s City]".

	We ran home anticipating the feast, and we would not be disappointed. There might be chicken,		We ran home anticipating the feast, and we would not be disappointed. There might be chicken,
	or goose, or turkey with lots of gravy. There would always be Brussels Sprouts, Mashed Potatoes,		or goose, or turkey with lots of gravy. There would always be Brussels Sprouts, Mashed Potatoes,
	Stuffing, Roast Potatoes, Carrots, Parsnips and Swede ; a feast indeed. But that was not all.		Stuffing, Roast Potatoes, Carrots, Parsnips, and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutabaga Swede] ; a feast indeed. But that was not all.
	There was the Christmas Pudding, the Mince Pies, the Custard. I remember all this because it
			There was the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_pudding Christmas Pudding], the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mince_pie Mince Pies], the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Custard Custard]. I remember all this because it
	was all homemade ; it was real. There was nothing artificial about it at all. The meat came from		was all homemade ; it was real. There was nothing artificial about it at all. The meat came from
	the butcher shop, the vegetables from the greengrocers, and the various fruits, and fats from the		the butcher shop, the vegetables from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greengrocer greengrocers], and the various fruits, and fats from the
	grocers where you were served by someone wearing an apron. Stuff was weighed and wrapped in		[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grocery_store grocers] where you were served by someone wearing an apron. Stuff was weighed and wrapped in
	paper. We hadn’t even heard of plastic bags in those days. Stuff was carried in shopping baskets		paper. We hadn’t even heard of plastic bags in those days. Stuff was carried in shopping baskets
	made of woven branches or grasses, or cloth. It was real.		made of woven branches or grasses, or cloth. It was real.

	At tea time there was usually Bread and Butter, and Trifle, and more mince pies. One had to eat		At [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_(meal) tea time] there was usually Bread and Butter, and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trifle Trifle], and more mince pies. One had to eat
	the bread and butter before one was allowed to eat anything sweet. In those days, children did		the bread and butter before one was allowed to eat anything sweet. In those days, children did
	not have a choice, you did what you were told, or else ; some of us well remember those days and		not have a choice, you did what you were told, or else ; some of us well remember those days and
	the “or elses”.		the “or elses”.

	Then there was the King’s Christmas Message, later of course, the Queen’s Message. The evening		Then there was the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Christmas_message King’s Christmas Message], later of course, the Queen’s Message. The evening
	was quieter and children were sent early to bed on Christmas Day ; not unreasonable since we		was quieter and children were sent early to bed on Christmas Day ; not unreasonable since we
	had awakened early, anticipating the wonderful things left by Father Christmas.		had awakened early, anticipating the wonderful things left by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_Christmas Father Christmas].

	Then Boxing Day. This was children’s day ; the only day we were allowed to stay up until we		Then [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxing_Day Boxing Day]. This was children’s day ; the only day we were allowed to stay up until we
	wanted to go to bed, and there was no restriction on the number of sweets and goodies we could		wanted to go to bed, and there was no restriction on the number of sweets and goodies we could
	eat. That is where we learned to be careful with the amount of chocolate one should eat at one		eat. That is where we learned to be careful with the amount of chocolate one should eat at one
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	But you see, it was all real. I look around now, and I see that the world has made Christmas		But you see, it was all real. I look around now, and I see that the world has made Christmas
	plastic, artificial, and fake. Christmas Carols are used now to encourage us to buy stuff, animals		plastic, artificial, and fake. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_carol Christmas Carols] are used now to encourage us to buy stuff, animals
	are fed to make them fat, eggs are produced in goodness only knows what kind of conditions.		are fed to make them fat, eggs are produced in goodness only knows what kind of conditions.